Timeshare Information

If timeshare is doing well...is it limited to one area? We think not. Reports show there are definite sparks of life in the industry that was hard-hit by the recession, and some of the areas where you'll find those sparks may surprise you.

Las Vegas 

Las Vegas is seeing its biggest growth since 2008. According to the Las Vegas Business Press, more than 1,000 units have been added, or will be added, to the Las Vegas timeshare sector. (In last week's blog we talked about construction resuming on Desert Blue, a 281 unit Vegas timeshare started by Wyndham Worldwide.)

Says Ed Kinney, a Marriott Vacations Worldwide spokesman, "We are seeing a continued pattern of increased travel. There is a tremendous interest, and Las Vegas has always been a popular destination." Last month, the company topped the third 37-floor tower of its off-strip Grand Chateau, which added 223 units.

Hilton Grand Vacations added to its luxury timeshare portfolio with the purchase of 300 units at the Trump International Hotel. At Grandview at Las Vegas near South Point, construction of a new tower is expected to increase its number of units from 1,556 to 1,856 according to the LVCVA survey.

Other parts of the world are also seeing an industry upswing:

Canada

With CRDA VO-Com running this week in Vancouver, it's hard not to hear talk about Skyline Vacation Club, Ontario’s first drive-to vacation club. Only days ago, Skyline International Development announced their new lifestyle division, a members-only, points based vacation club. The club offers members a choice of vacation experiences from 3 different categories. The Urban Collection, with locations in downtown Toronto (Pantages Hotel and Cosmopolitan Hotel), the Resort Collection, located 1-2 hours from Toronto (Horseshoe Resort and Deerhurst Resort), and the International Collection, featuring over 4,000 vacation options around the world through a partnership with RCI.

Gil Blutrich, President of Skyline International Development, says, "Skyline Vacation Club elevates the guest experience by providing connectivity between city and country, urban and resort."

Ireland

Reports from a survey by Failte Ireland, (Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority) show Ireland's tourism is 'on the turn' (Irish speak for upturn). Business sentiment is at its highest since the economic crash in 2008. The report goes on to say that occupancy was up in over two-thirds of hotels, 58% of guest houses, and 46% of B&Bs.  Good weather was cited as a contribution to the up turn, but also 6 of 10 businesses cited the Government's Gathering Initiative (Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative) as a factor for increased trade.

New Zealand

All those who attended NZHOC back in May know that New Zealand is facing its timeshare challenges head on. The Australian Timeshare Holiday Ownership council has representatives from 3 main timeshare regions.  Two of the regions are on North Island, in the Bay of Islands Region, and in the Taupo Region in the center of North Island. The 3rd region is in Queenstown where 9 resorts are located.

A New Zealand astro-tourism operator is hoping to take advantage of the "star gazing craze."  Every year tens of thousands of tourists flock to Lake Tekapo, where Canterbury University's Mt. John Observatory resides, to see Southern Stars, the Milky Way, and meteor shows. Graeme Murray, founder of the astro- tourism concession Earth & Sky, wants to build a $5 million "window to the universe" facility on the lake's shore to cater to the needs of those star-gazing tourists.  Earth & Sky will be just a part of a wider development plan around Lake Tekapo including hotels, shops and a supermarket that Mr. Murray hopes to get going.

Apparently, astro-tourism, which has taken off in Asia too, has immense potential for the region as it means tourists need to stay overnight to watch the stars.

Is the market upswing here to stay? 

There are still a few worries. Lisa Ann Schrier, executive director of the National Timeshare Owners Association is concerned about "the amount of timeshares coming online all at once instead of sticking a toe in the water to see if it will fly or not." But she adds, "the major players seem to think there is still a lot of life in the old warhorse."

We'd like to know what you think. Please post your comments below.

The 21st Winter Olympics will be held February 12-28, 2010, in the host city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Most venues will be in Vancouver, with some alpine events being held at Cypress Mountain, 30 miles from Vancouver, and the Whistler/Blackcomb ski area 85 miles from the city. There will be bus transport from the city to both of the outlying mountain venues.

Rare for a winter Olympics host city to sit at sea level, Vancouver is a major seaport with a busy international harbor. Renowned for its stunning natural scenery, the city of Vancouver is located on a peninsula, although it is shielded from the Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island. The North Shore Mountains rise in dramatic contrast to the ocean inlet, giving an awesome backdrop to the city.
Vancouver is busy setting records for a host city. It is the most populous city to ever hold the Winter Olympics at 3,000,000. It is the warmest ever for the Winter Olympics, with an average wintertime temperature of 40 degrees (F). The 2010 opening ceremony will be held indoors, a first for either the Winter or Summer games, at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Since that is a covered stadium, another first will be the lighting of the Olympic flame indoors. The flame must burn continually for the 15 days of the Olympic games, causing speculation on how the indoor environmental issues will be managed.

If you are thinking of traveling to the 2010 Winter Olympics, now is the time to start planning. Accommodations are going fast. An alternative to the hotels is renting a timeshare. At this writing there are still a number available during the Olympics both in Vancouver and at the Whistler/Blackcomb ski area. Timeshares are more economical than hotels, offer more living space, and come with kitchens to also help save in the cost of meals. Timeshares are a great alternative for families, as well as traveling groups.

For you skiers, this is a wonderful opportunity to visit British Columbia’s famed Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort. When the two resorts combined in 2002 it created the largest ski area in North America, 54% larger than second place Vail, Colorado. Although Vancouver sits at sea level, and Whistler Village is only 2, 214 feet above sea level (much lower than most avid skiers are used to!), the ski trails top out at 7,000 feet. The area gets an average of 400 inches of snowfall per year.

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with trendy shops, multi-ethnic restaurants including Indian, African, Greek and Thai, with world class chefs, and the largest urban park in the world, Stanley Park. If the Olympic games don’t keep you busy enough, the many things to do in Vancouver will, for a trip you’ll never forget.

Check the official web site for the 2010 Winter Olympics, for all important updates and information. See all Canada timeshare resorts.

(Photo: Inukshuk, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort (TourismBC/Randy Lincks)

Take control of your vacation ownership and exchange your week for another property anywhere around the world! Airline fares are cheap right now, so, it’s the perfect time to consider timeshare exchange to finally visit that dream destination you’ve been planning for awhile. When looking for an exchange program, you’ll want the type that allows you to search online and find the week you want before you deposit your week. And, if you end up exchanging for a lesser week, you should be able to keep the remaining points, not forfeit them. Most will also allow you to purchase additional points, if needed, to get the week you really desire. So, now you’re ready… where should you go? Here’s a few great travel choices:


Cayman Islands Timeshare:
Travel to the Carribean and stay at the Morritt's Tortuga Club on the beautiful Grand Cayman Island. There you’ll find a beautiful beachside vacation home where you can relax on the silky sand or by the pool. The crystalline offshore waters are filled with spectacular coral and other marine life you can experience while scuba diving or on a submarine tour. The resort offers complete diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing programs for outdoor activities, plus great nightly entertainment.



Spain Timeshare:
Club Bena Vista in Spain, on the Costa del Sol, is a five minute stroll to the beach and within easy driving distance of Marbella and Puerto Banus. Set in beautifully maintained landscaped gardens, the secluded accommodation reflects the local Andalusia architecture with terracotta roof tiles and whitewashed walls. Bena Vista has its own shopping arcade with everything you might need including a: supermarket, butcher, baker and a fine selection of restaurants and café bars. Green fee discounts are available for residents of the resort at the nearby 18 hole El Paraiso golf course, designed by Gary Player.



Canada Timeshare:
Visit Ontario, Canada and stay in the Heart of the Beaver Valley at The Royal Harbour Resort. Nestled around a lovely natural harbor you’ll enjoy year-round activities such as: swimming at Georgian Bay, the world's longest freshwater beach; or skiing at Blue Mountain, Ontario's largest Alpine Ski area. You may also enjoy: sailing charters, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and shopping. On the resort itself you’ll find an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness room in addition to tennis and biking.